Sustainable enterprises
ILO and KOICA to promote sustainable enterprises in India
A bilateral project launched to generate more and better quality jobs for youth by strengthening sectoral supply chains and integrating Indian MSMEs in the global market.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of Ministry of Labour and Employment (MOLE), Government of India (GOI), Embassy of Korea in India, KOICA Office in Bangladesh (In charge for India programmes) and ILO representatives from headquarters in Geneva and DWT/CO-New Delhi.
This project is expected to strengthen integration of local ‘Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises’ (MSMEs) with the global supply chain in two ways. It will guide policymakers and social partners (employers and worker’s organizations) in India on ‘the best global policy intervention models for boosting MSME growth’ through knowledge exchange, especially with South Korea. Respectively, it will support supply chain development in two labour intensive sectors – garments and food processing – in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
The key activities of project include entrepreneurship promotion, especially among youth and women, and improvement in shop-floor management practises by MSMEs. It is expected to responsibly enhance sectoral competitiveness and generate decent jobs at local levels.
Welcoming this new partnership, Ms Dagmar Walter, Director, ILO DWT/CO-New Delhi, said, “This initiative is timely as the recovery and rebuilding phase from current pandemic situation demands rejuvenation and sustainability of MSMEs, the sector employing second largest workforce in India. The project aims to harness the sector’s potential for catalyzing local economy development by integrating it with global economy.”
Mr J K Singh, Deputy Secretary, MOLE in his special remarks said, “This project compliments Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s ‘Atma Nirbhar’ (Self-reliant India) and ‘Make in India’ initiatives, involving support for MSMEs to withstand COVID-19 impact. We intent to benefit from the research and knowledge sharing components to enhance our policies towards ensuring sustainability of MSMEs.”
KOICA aims to contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable development in the developing countries and has thus endeavored financial support towards this project. Young Ah Doh, Country Director, KOICA Bangladesh, said, “This is the first grant project of Korean Government to India. For this meaningful project, I am more than pleased to work with the ILO India. The organization has the longest experience in global labour market as well as knowledge about MSMEs development. I hope the ILO can achieve significant contribution to Indian MSMEs development from this project and establish a bridge between Korea and India MSMEs exchanges.”
Mr Hwang Soon Sung, Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of Korea to India, “More than 500 Korean companies and entities are currently invested in India. The initiatives of Government of India and projects such as this will further improve bilateral ties between the countries.”
The ILO has proven global enterprises development tools, SIYB (Start and Improve your Business) and Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE). They have been applied in many Indian States and Central Government programmes for promoting MSMEs development. Through this project, these tools will be further scaled up and replicated with KOICA support in India.
For further information please contact:
Nilesh NikadeCommunication and Information Management Officer
ILO DWT/CO-New Delhi
Email: nikade@ilo.org